Naples to host the 2013 Giro d'Italia Grande Partenza

Milan, June 25, 2012 – The city of Naples will host the Grande Partenza of the 2013 Giro d’Italia, exactly 50 years after the Corsa Rosa last started in the southern Italian city in 1963. The 96th edition of the race starts on Saturday May 4 and will end on Sunday May 26.

The first stage of the 2013 Giro d’Italia will touch several parts of Naples. It will start in Piazza Vittoria, visit the Chiaia, Mergellina and Posillipo areas before finishing on the spectacular Via Caracciolo, overlooking the bay of Naples.

The Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia will begin on Tuesday April 30, with the arrival of the race caravan in Naples. Preliminary operations will begin on Wednesday May 1, with the top rider press conference at Castel dell’Ovo on Thursday May 2. The official team presentation will be held on Friday May 3 in the famous Piazza del Plebiscito in the centre of Naples.

The official announcement of Naples as the host of the 2013 Giro d’Italia Grande Partenza was made today in Milan, at the headquarters of race organisers RCS Sport and the La Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, by the mayor of Naples Luigi De Magistris, the editor of La Gazzetta dello Sport Andrea Monti, the CEO of RCS Sport Giacomo Catano and the Managing Director of RCS Sport Michele Acquarone.

Giacomo Catano said: “The last two Italian starts of the Giro d’Italia were in Venice and Turin, alternating with starts in Amsterdam and Herning in Denmark, to represent the international spirit of the Corsa Rosa. In 2013 it’ll be Naples’ turn and on behalf of RCS Sport I’d like to thank all those people who have helped make it happen. It’ll be a moment of pride and excellence for the Giro d’Italia.”

Luigi De Magistris said: “I want to thank La Gazzetta dello Sport and RCS Sport. I’m very happy that the Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia will be in my city because we’re working hard to rebuild the image of the city through sport. This summer we’re going to unveil the biggest bike path in the south of Italy (20km long) and that signifies how much the Naples council cares about cycling.”

Andrea Monti said: “In Naples and in all the south of Italy, there’s a lot of love for cycling and that’s clear to see every time the Giro d’Italia goes through the area. The Giro d’Italia has united Italy for over a hundred years, in this historic moment it will be even more so.”

Michele Acquarone said: “The Giro d’Italia always give its partners an opportunity to show themselves to the world. Between now and May 2013 we’ll do as much as possible to promote Naples and the Grande Partenza of the 2013 Giro d’Italia.”

Naples hosted the Grande Partenza of the Giro d’Italia in 1963 and has also hosted 35 stage starts and 41 stage finishes. The Giro d’Italia finished in Naples in 1968, when Eddy Merckx won his first of five overall victories at the Giro d’Italia. Mario Cipollini won the last stage finish in Naples in 1996